Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. That right belongs to Nintendo.
A/N: Okay, I know "The Deal" was longer than the chapters before, albeit it contained vital information.
A/N: The poll would be closed on Sunday (U.S.A.) so if you haven't found the chance to vote, do so now.
A/N: I appreciate the reviews/feedback I have received, and honestly, I really am getting into this story of mine! :)
A/N: I plan to reveal the identity of White's father soon. Really soon.
White's PoV.
As I stared at N trying to pry the paper loose, I couldn't help but think that since I'd found the book, I should be the one to loosen the paper.
"Let me try," I suggested, "because I'm the one who found it."
N wore a defeated look before brandishing the book. "I'll lay it on your lap," said N coolly. "I really hate vandalizing books."
I nodded in agreement, believing that books were important to this world, whether they were fantasy or history. They had a purpose in Unova, that's for sure.
I slipped the tips of my fingers into the false page, hoping to tear it all the way off, and find this mysterious stone my mother and Ghetsis were fighting over. It seemed like forever, but I successfully removed the sheet without ripping it. "It's free," I announced happily.
I was apprehensive. Not because of N's presence, but whether if the stone was resting peacefully inside this recess.
Holding my head up, I placed my hands into the square-shaped hole, probing the entire recess for this relic. To my delight, my fingers came across an unnaturally smooth surface, no doubt the stone.
I was so shocked; the only thing I could do was grab the spherical stone, and freeze from the shock taking hold of me.
"Is it in there or not?" There was anticipation in N's voice, with a hint of eagerness. "Open your hand, White."
I did as he said, opening my balled fist, revealing what I found to N. "Tell me that's it," I pleaded.
N shook his head. "That's not it!" he said shrilly, his eagerness vanishing instantly, replaced by devastation and lividness. "The stone's not here! Ghetsis has it, meaning we came all this way for nothing!" N bowed his head down, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
The boy launched a punch at the carpeted floor, repeating, "THE STONE'S NOT HERE!"
Chapter 10: High Stakes
White's PoV.
"We'll get it back, N," I promised, embracing him in a maternal way. "It has to be around here somewhere." Looking at the book once more, I said, "This book could be important so we might as well take it, because my mother probably was searching for it. But how does she know Ghetsis? Why is she hiding from him?" So many questions were going through my head, causing me to be thunderstruck and mad simultaneously.
N snapped his head back up, looking as if he were a thousand years old. "Ask her when we escape, White." He extricated himself from my embrace, snatching the marble from my hand, eyeing it with disgust. "This is a dumb marble," he growled.
Before I could stop him, N swung his arm around, letting the marble fly out of his hand, which slammed into one of the frosted windows, a web of cracks expanding across the glass. "Where the hell is it?" he said between ground teeth, rising up to his feet.
I unfolded my legs, clinging on to the spine of the tome, the tome weighing me down. "We need to f-find it," I said between gritted teeth, deliberating whether to fold my arms against the volume or not.
N turned around, motioning for me to relinquish the book. I handed it over to him, N instantly pressing it against his chest. "We gotta get out of here." N broke into a run, making a sharp turn, his footsteps loud.
I jogged out of the ravine of books before sprinting after N, who was slowed down by the large volume he was carrying, thus making it easy for me to catch up with him. "Where to next, N?" I asked swiftly, my mind straying to the secret corridor we passed through during our escape. Why didn't the Shadow Triad report our escape to Ghetsis? I thought.
"White," N said suddenly. "Get down!" His eyes probed mine, a sign of pleading embedded inside them.
For once, he wasn't bossing me around as if I were a slave. He actually was urging me to hide, as if my life depended on it. Looking around, I spotted an alcove in front of me. Flopping myself down, I went towards the alcove, approaching it as a Pokemon approaches his or her prey. "Follow me," I insisted, diving into the alcove, landing on to my knees painfully.
As I craned my head around, I eyed N slipping quietly and harmlessly into the haven, thus making me upset. "I trip and fall while you -"
A wheezy voice suddenly came into the midst, effectively stopping me arguing with N.
Judging from the footsteps, the person had to be overweight, meaning it was either Ghetsis or one of the other Sages. But Ghetsis didn't don black robes streaked with rivers the color of molten gold.
"You mean to tell me the King and his girlfriend escaped?" he was saying to somebody. "How will I explain these unfortunate turn of events to Lord Ghetsis? Our plan for those two children has been disrupted, which displeases me." He stomped his foot, and I felt a tremble, meaning an earthquake was on its way.
"Gorm," N realized. "He's -"
"One of the Seven Sages," I finished. "He was the fat dude I met in Pinwheel Forest, and when I first saw him . . . you don't even wanna know what I thought of him." I vividly remembered two idiotic Team Plasma grunts stealing a Dragon Skull, which I had thankfully recovered. "To be honest, I think they're all fat and ugly," I confessed.
"White thought she'd destroyed both our castle and master plan, but Lord Ghetsis always has a Plan B," said Gorm viciously. "Right now, the Shadow Triad is combing the castle for the fugitives. I ask for your devotion to King N to stop."
"My Lord Gorm," a gentle, high-soprano voice said. "I would never betray Lord N; for he is a good person deep down inside. Ever since Lady Amara and N's mother died, Concordia and I had watched over Lord N. Whenever we brought him into the light, Lord Ghetsis fought against us, dragging Lord N into the darkness. Only the Jewel of Unova can bring light to the darkened heart Lord N must carry around."
"King N's real dream was halted by White, Anthea," Gorm snapped. "In more ways than one, she must pay the price for her constant meddling and interference. You and Concordia will also suffer this fate, because you'd sided with White in order to "save" King N, thus betraying Lord Ghetsis."
"Torture me if you must," Anthea shot back. "I had never pledged loyalty to Lord Ghetsis in the first place. Concordia and I have only stood around for Lord N."
"Lord Ghetsis would be fascinated to hear about this, Anthea," Gorm said, amused. "Team Plasma does not tolerate traitors, according to our creed." There was a moan, followed by a scream. "Once King N hears about your imprisonment, he would most likely barge into the cellar. . ."
N's face twisted with fury.
Before I could stop him, N aimed a kick at Gorm, making the man stumble.
"What's this?" the Santa Claus reject demanded. "Who would dare . . . ?"
N and I zipped out of the hole, seeing Anthea's wrist held in a very painful position by Gorm. "We would dare," I answered, clenching my fists. "Release Anthea."
Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me, forcing me to wheel around. Two Team Plasma grunts were sauntering forward, restraining Cheren and Bianca, N's and my backpacks slung over their shoulders. "I found intruders lurking around the recreation room and locker room, Lord Gorm."
Gorm glared at me, his eyes half-concealed under that cap of his. "I want to battle you, because the stakes are high for you, little girl." Looking at the Team Plasma grunts, Gorm barked, "Give White her bag!"
The grunts threw Cheren and Bianca to the side, N catching both by the forearms. "This one is hers," said one of the grunts. He thrust the backpack at me, which I caught deftly.
"Hurry up and choose your Pokemon."
N's PoV.
The Team Plasma grunt holding my backpack threw it at me. "If White loses, you're next," he told me.
I nodded weakly, zipping open my backpack. A moment later, I slipped the tome into the backpack before searching for the other five Poke Balls carrying my Pokemon. I smiled once my palm scooped the minute Poke Balls. Taking out the Poke Balls, I promptly zipped up the backpack, propping it between the unconscious Bianca and Cheren.
"She won't lose," I shot back nastily. "Anyway, why the mere gesture of kindness?" I was perplexed at the kindness the grunts had demonstrated, which meant they were on my side along with Anthea. But where was Concordia? "I thought all of Team Plasma was against me."
Both grunts shook their heads, eyeing Gorm with fright and apprehensiveness. They know they're traitors, and will suffer the wrath of Ghetsis and the other Seven Sages, I realized, wondering whether to be relieved or distraught.
"Gorm acquired new Pokemon," the other grunt said, "and he told all of us he planned to take White down with them."
"Ladies first," said Gorm, a wicked grin on his face.
White bristled. "Go to hell, Gorm," she snarled, picking out a Dusk Ball from her palm. "I will go first anyhow."
White half-turned around, glaring at Gorm with immense hatred, pushing the button of the Dusk Ball, thus enlarging it. She flung it from her hand at incredible speed, the capsule twisting and turning around like a disco ball. "GO ZEBSTRIKA!" she yelled, Zebstrika appearing before the Dusk Ball zoomed back into her hand.
Zebstrika neighed, kicking her feet lazily. Her mane was coursing with electricity.
"Electric, eh?" Gorm raised his eyebrows mockingly. "Well, how about this, little girl?" While holding Anthea by the wrist, Gorm produced a Poke Ball from thin air, throwing it at the ground, yelling, "GO, HYPNO!"
Hypno appeared, the Poke Ball flying into Gorm's hand promptly. Swiping his hand through the air, Gorm said, "I went to Kanto not too long ago, finding this promising Pokemon." Stuffing the Poke Ball away, he continued, "Two men traveling together saw me. I wanted to face one of them. He was just as sarcastic as you, young White, but his friend stepped in instead, defeating me rather easily."
Was the one who challenged Gorm White's father? I wondered, although Ghetsis had said White had a very similar personality to her father.
"What did the sarcastic one look like?" she wanted to know, obviously curious.
Gorm chuckled. "I'll tell you if I win," he said, his lips curling. "I can tell he was a powerful Pokemon Trainer as well." He stared at Hypno, saying, "HYPNO, USE HYPNOSIS!"
Hypno advanced over to Zebstrika, waving his pendulum back and forth, his emotionless eyes rolling around wildly.
White clenched her hand. "ZEBSTRIKA, USE SHOCK WAVE!" she roared, her face expressionless.
Zebstrika neighed one more time, before her mane started to build up electricity, colored blue, purple, yellow or white. A second later, a rope of white electricity ejected out of Zebstrika's flashing mane, aiming straight and true at Hypno, who desperately tried to force Zebstrika into a deep slumber.
Zebstrika seemed to get sleepy, even releasing a yawn. However, she composed herself, swinging her mane about, the thunderbolt whizzing around wildly, crackling. SHOCK WAVE injected itself into Hypno's profile, his skeleton flickering on and off.
Hypno fell down to his knees, his eyes flashing dangerously. With newfound strength, Hypno rose up, swinging his pendulum like a lasso made. The Pokemon was beyond pissed off, leaving me wondering if all Pokemon the Seven Sages had were prone to anger.
"Well played, little girl," Gorm applauded her, even clapping his hands mockingly.
"DON'T CALL ME A LITTLE GIRL!" White barked, furious. "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU'RE TALKING TO, HUH?"
I sighed. "I swear to God White won't let Gorm get to her," I muttered, looking at the unconscious Cheren and Bianca, seeing Cheren's glasses were askew.
I don't know what came over me, but I fixed his glasses before stepping away, embarrassed at the probable moment of concern. He hates me, and the feelings are mutual, I said to myself mentally.
"That was nice and strange of you." Bianca had woken up, examining me curiously. "I seriously don't know what to think of you, because you sure are hard to read, even though I hate reading." Bianca stared at the books, disgust on her face. "But I hope White doesn't do what I did: Destroy a room, except this time . . . it is a library."
Bianca didn't talk. She prattled, oblivious to whether others were listening or not. But I wouldn't deny she had some fire to her, save White had a more fiery personality than Bianca. "Why is White battling that man?"
"He challenged her," one of the grunts replied, earning himself a death glare from Bianca.
"I was asking your King, not you!" she bellowed, grimacing. "This is an ABC conversation, so butt out, okay?" Tearing her eyes off the grunt, Bianca asked, "Why?"
"Uhhh . . . Gorm wanted to fight her, striking a deal with her," I summarized. "With Gorm travelling through the world, he found Pokemon that can raise the stakes pretty high." Bowing my head down, I murmured, "He also promised White he would tell her something about a sarcastic man, who might be her father."
"Raise your head up when you're talking to me," Bianca commanded.
"TWO THINGS: NUMBER ONE, SHUT THAT CRYBABY OF A TRAINER UP!" Gorm shouted at the assorted Team Plasma members, "AND NUMBER TWO, HYPNO, USE PSYCHIC!"
Anthea glared at Gorm with absolute hatred and resentment. "Why would you speak to a sweet girl that way, Lord Gorm?" Anthea hissed, trying to pull herself free from Gorm's grasp, but the Sage squeezed it even tighter. "She has done absolutely no harm to you. This girl is free to speak her mind, for freedom is something we must embrace, not take for granted."
Gorm's hands twitched. "Shut up," he snapped, "because I have half a -"
I stood up, glowering at Gorm. "You lay a hand on her, and you'll answer to me, Gorm," I promised. "Anthea sacrificed so much for my sake, and I was too narrow-minded to realize she and Concordia were by my side. Always."
Bianca cried, "White, knock Gorm into next week! And Anthea, thanks for defending me."
Hypno sent a wall of purplish energy, with highlighted ripples carving through the surface at Zebstrika, wearing an impish smile.
"ZEBSTRIKA, FLASH!" White thundered, just as Zebstrika broke into a sprint, her mane aglow with colorless light.
Zebstrika bolted so fast, she became a blur. When PSYCHIC was making its way toward her, Zebstrika leapt over the wall, her entire frame glowing so brilliantly all of us had to shield our eyes.
From afar, I picked up Hypno's thoughts of devastation. Allowing myself to uncover my eyes, I spotted Hypno dancing about crazily, the seemingly impenetrable wall of energy thrown off course, slamming into one of the bookshelves, which descended downward, colliding with another bookshelf, making a deafening noise.
"Oh my . . ." I heard Bianca say. "I've jinxed White." She laughed nervously to hide her guilt.
Gorm gritted his teeth. "Why, you impertinent little wench!" he yelled. "You've created a catastrophe!" He gestured toward the two bookshelves, stacked on top of one another, books wedged between them.
I felt so angry I couldn't help but shriek, "YOU BASTARD! DON'T CALL WHITE A YOU-KNOW-WHAT!" I was about to storm over when someone grasped my arm.
"Besides you being the last person I wanted to wake me up, White won't be pleased if you came to the rescue," Cheren said seriously. "Even without Pokemon, White can defend herself verbally, not physically." Glancing at Bianca, Cheren voiced, "What's the stitch, Bianca?"
White's PoV.
I couldn't trust myself to show pleasure at N defending me. If I went to thank him, I probably would become flustered, and Cheren and Bianca would tease me endlessly about it.
Zebstrika made a long leap back to where I was stationed, neighing. "Even though we left some destruction behind, it's too bad the shelves didn't fall on Gorm." Zebstrika surveyed me, expectant.
It wasn't my intention to create this mess, except I'd found myself desperately wishing for the bookshelves to have minds of their own, and fall on to Gorm's ugly face, which I would've paid a ton of money to see.
"Call me a wench again, and I'll slap you," I threatened. "No one gets away with calling me a name like that. ZEBSTRIKA, ATTACK WITH GIGA IMPACT!" This was one of Zebstrika's most powerful attacks, but unfortunately, she had to rest for an entire turn.
"HYPNO, USE PSYSHOCK!" Gorm screeched.
Zebstrika launched GIGA IMPACT at the same time Hypno unleashed PSYSHOCK. Both of them were determined to take the other down, no matter what. Both of them were also self-conscious because they wanted to impress Gorm and I.
My Pokemon neighed, swishing her mane while slumping downward, exhausted from putting forth all her energy. Weakly, she surveyed Hypno, who was swinging a pendulum, not a pendant, impatiently. A gray ball of energy swerved around in circular motion, trying to counter PSYSHOCK.
Knowing GIGA IMPACT could or couldn't hit Hypno, I shut my eyes, afraid to see the results.
"HYPNO!" Gorm screamed, agony in his voice. "HOW DARE YOU DEFEAT HYPNO?"
Opening my eyes, I felt Zebstrika nuzzling against my hand, neighing with pleasure. Even though she was exhausted, she seemed to be okay. I directed my gaze toward Hypno, who was spread-eagled, with Gorm bending over him, a Hyper Potion in his hand.
"She can't be that powerful," Gorm said to himself, trying to pour the liquid into Hypno's mouth, the contents spilling everywhere. "Hypno, get up, fight and prove your worth." Meanwhile, Anthea tried to wrestle free from Gorm, but cried out when Gorm tightened his already iron-grip on her wrist.
"Can't you tell when a Pokemon fainted?" Cheren said impatiently.
I jumped up from sheer surprise, swerving around to see Bianca and Cheren were wide awake. N was throwing five Poke Balls in his hand, emotionless as usual. For a moment, I thought I saw N crack a grin, but it quickly vanished.
Gorm roared, flinging the Hyper Potion at the frosted window N had damaged earlier, the Hyper Potion bouncing off the glass, leaving no cracks behind. "Little boy, do not question my motives," he snapped. "Though you speak the truth, I will not tolerate your know-it-all attitude, do you understand?" Sighing, he cried, "HYPNO, COME BACK!" A jet of light appeared from the Poke Ball, leaving no sign of Hypno.
"Great job, Zebstrika!" I congratulated her, opening up her Dusk Ball, sucking Zebstrika inside. "Since you lost, make your move!" That Hypno seemed too easy to defeat, I noticed. Are all of Gorm's Pokemon like that? Or are we just getting started?
"DUSTOX, GO!" Gorm flung another Poke Ball, revealing a moth Pokemon who was just as ugly as he was. The capsule rebounding back to his open hand, Gorm announced, "A Pokemon from the Hoenn region." He stuffed away the Poke Ball in his robes before nodding towards me.
As I clipped Zebstrika's Dusk Ball onto my belt, I produced and enlarged another Poke Ball, wondering if he had a type advantage over Dustox, who was obviously a Bug-type Pokemon.
Dustox flew gracefully in the air, his weird eyes staring at me as if he wanted to eat me. I'm pretty sure that if a Pokemon ate me, I wouldn't be very tasty.
"SIMISEAR, I CHOOSE YOU!" I shouted whilst performing my signature way of throwing a Poke Ball.
My trusty Simisear appeared, serious as usual. Turning around, he eyed me with adoration and respect. "You're gonna do just fine," I assured him, smiling. The Poke Ball zoomed back to me, but instead of catching it with my hand, it slammed against my face. "Uhhhhhhhh . . ." I fell down, slightly disoriented.
I regained composure when Simisear tapped me on the shoulder while my friends and N huddled around me, attempting to lift me on to my feet. Instead of Bianca or N, I allowed Cheren to help me up. Holding my hand out, the Poke Ball twitched a little before returning to my hand. "Thanks," I said. "Now, Round Two! Let's fight!" I pointed at Gorm, pleased to see him fuming, but disgusted at the way he was treating Anthea.
I heard a snarl from behind, Cheren roughly saying, "Gorm seems dangerous, N! If you try to rescue Anthea, then he might -" Cheren was cut off by something.
"I don't care," N replied, "because I have to return the favor, no matter how high the stakes are."
Gorm grinned. "How naïve and foolish can you be, King N?" he asked haughtily. "If you make one move during White's and my battle, then Anthea . . . Oh, you can't imagine what I have in store for her." Looking behind me, Gorm said, "You two aren't even supposed to be in here, so get out before -"
"We will, my Lord," both grunts said in unison before taking off, their footsteps becoming fainter until I couldn't hear them anymore.
"I'm not foolish and naïve anymore," N retorted, his voice barely shaking. "Gorm, I'm smarter, alert and I have so many other dark qualities making me who I am now."
Gorm gave a shout of laughter. "You still are foolish and naive, whether you like it or not." Looking at Dustox harshly, Gorm commanded, "DUSTOX, USE TOXIC!"
How I hated that attack! "SIMISEAR, USE FIRE BLAST!" I demanded, glaring at Gorm, intense resentment flooding through my heart. "ARE YOU MOCKING MY EVERY MOVE OR WHAT?" I fumed, a hiss rippling from my mouth when seeing that smile of his.
"Time will tell," he answered. "The stakes are high, meaning your, Anthea's, King N's and your friends' fates and freedom rides on this battle. Also, I can see the curiosity in your eyes, White, wanting to know who your father is."
Dustox fluttered his wings, sending a wave of toxic substance at Simisear, halting his FIRE BLAST attack. He seemed to buzz – no doubt laughter – at how he had poisoned Simisear, draped in the icky and oozy substance, boiling away.
Simisear tried to flick the poison off, making cries of despair at the "blunder" he just made. To our horror, TOXIC sank into his fur, thus poisoning Simisear. Releasing a feral snarl, I raised my hand out to him, panicking. I need either an Antidote, a Full Heal or a Full Restore, I thought.
As I reached into my backpack to search for an Antidote, I hesitated.
I knew my situation was jaded because Gorm could just as easily use TOXIC again or switch to another move. Maybe Gorm was expecting for me to heal my Pokemon, so he could use TOXIC again.
I knew how dangerous TOXIC was, for each turn a Pokemon was out, their energy drained away quicker until they fainted. I couldn't let Simisear faint but at the same time, I didn't want to fall into Gorm's trap, if he had one.
I was faced with so many plans.
So many options.
So many strategies.
However, that wasn't the least of my problems.
Anthea, Cheren, my mother and Bianca believed and had faith in me. And maybe even Concordia.
I thought of N.
Even though he never expressed or said it, I had no doubt N trusted, believed and had faith in me as well, perhaps more than he had with Anthea or Concordia.
I wasn't a strategist like my mother.
My way of battling was primarily offensive and impulsive, even though sometimes I relied on defense. At this critical moment, I wondered if I had inherited this from my father, although I had definitely inherited his personality.
Was Gorm lying about telling me about this sarcastic man, who was no doubt my long-lost father? I wish I could remember what he looked like, which saddened and angered me. Once again, I felt the feeling of abandonment washing over me, accompanied by resentment.
Gorm gave a derisive snort. "Every moment that passes by, freedom escapes from all of you." Dustox's wings were emitting an earsplitting BUZZ that was hurting my ears. "I would have never thought of you as a quitter and coward."
"She's brave," Bianca spat, "not a coward!"
"White never gives up, no matter how hopeless anything seems," Cheren put in. "White, take him down."
"She may be stubborn," N said slowly, "but if there's one thing I've learned about her, she never, ever falters in her resolutions."
"All three of you are blind," Gorm insisted. "She gave up, can't you see?"
"The children believe in White, who I will also believe in these dark times," said Anthea. "Don't let fear take hold of you, do not let Lord Gorm doubt yourself. Everyone believes in you, and you must believe in yourself, Trainer."
I drew my courage from not only myself, but Simisear, Anthea and my friends. They were right, because I've never lost hope before. Why stop now? Simisear was okay with whatever choice I made, which made me nervous.
I found the Antidote, taking hold of it.
"Use the Antidote, and I will use TOXIC against you," Gorm warned.
As soon as I withdrew my hand from the Medicine pocket, I declared, "No matter what moves you use against me, I'll be all right as long as people and my Pokemon believe in me! I also need to believe in myself and my Pokemon."
Gorm's ugly face cast a chilly smile. "Once you use that Antidote in your hand, your Simisear will be a victim of TOXIC once more."
Simisear snarled at him before turning around to stare at me, belief strong in his eyes.
I pointed at Gorm. "My Simisear's fine with whatever decision I make," I snapped. "I'm not gonna give up! Antidote or not, I will keep my head in the game."
The stakes are high, but that won't faze me, I thought, opening up my hand.
"Make your move," Gorm invited.
I stared at him, shaking my head. "Then prepare yourself."
Holding my hand up, I allowed Mr. Ugly to see what I was holding.
A/N: "High Stakes" is finished. Read and Review! I would love feedback, as well. I know it's tiring, but two more days of torture . . . if you haven't cast your vote, do so now!
This chapter was slightly edited. History is being edited in order to lure in potential readers for the upcoming sequel, Eventide.
Edited On: 11/01/15